the original fabric was cut + 7/8 inch finished size
the stitching lines were drawn on
the stitching was on the stitching lines

she's squaring up the blocks -

with the other three steps, why aren't they coming out "perfect" after the sewing?

actually, if the idea of oversizing and then trimming down appeals to you, going for an additional 1/8" makes the measuring a lot easier. cut an extra 8/8th's, so to speak ( 1") and trim the excess away. it's much easier to measure 1" than 7/8".

We also have to remember that this could be just the tool for a newbie that is still learning the tricks of the trades.

I picked up one of these at Wal-mart yesterday for $11 and change. I mainly bought so would be easier for my mom. Easier for her to sew on lines than to mark the center line and then hope that she is getting the 1/4 or less from the line and then square up.

I can see where this could be a senseless tool in some people's minds, but not everyone grasps the other "easy" methods. And yes, I agree in theory should square up if sewing on lines, but some people can't always sew directly on lines.

Mine usually have to be squared up because I gab too much with whoever while I'm working on them. But I've only used HST twice and I'm ready to experiment with some different methods like thangles and special rulers!! I have the plain old June Taylor multiple strip type rulers and I do like them for cutting strips, but you must be very careful you don't knick them with your cutter and I can see where they would wear out quicker than a regular single cut ruler because they are made of a softer flexible material. They're probably not as accurate as acrylic rulers, but you're only as accurate as your least accurate tool, and with me that weak spot could be any number of things, most likely my brain :lol: :lol: So at any rate, THANKS for all the good ideas everyone, HSTs are in most of the blocks I really like, so I'd like to get fairly good and quick at making them. I'll find a way that works best for me cause evrybody has their own drummer :D

I have tried so many different gimics for half sqs. Even TA Da fusible interfacing pre printed with all sizes. They made a great pattern to transfer to paper. Then go thru the tearing off bit. Did not want to purchase more fusible.
Watch this video especially the second half.http://quiltinaday.com/television/vi...lesquareup.asp
I make many half square and quarter sq with it and they come out perfect every time. All sizes. You can get the ruler at Joanns with a coupon so it is very reasonable. The ruler comes with instructions for which size squares to cut to make 8 at a time.

The ruler comes with the pattern for making 8 half sqs at a time.
What it amounts to is cutting 2 sqs, drawing an X then sew 1/4 in from each side of line. Then cut + in middle then on lines. No bad grain either.
I have the fons and porter 1/2 in ruler for drawing the lines also. This is fine but I do most of my sewing with scant 1/4 in.
My sewing lines are never straight but when you line up the ruler you can see how crooked the line is and compensate. Mine tend to be narrower at the ends.

If you finger press first then just press down on square with the iron it should stay square. Just make sure the seam is completley open with no fold. And if you iron do it from the center point not from side to side.

Sharon Schamber shows what is, IMHO, the most efficient way to make HSTs into squares - which is how we usually use them. She demos her method here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFu1_4ksHj8

She cuts the squares AFTER the HSTs are sewn together, thus no stretching while ironing, and no need to square up. I'll repeat that - YOU ONLY CUT EACH SQUARE ONCE. NO SQUARING UP :!: :!:

Fons and Porter use a variation of Sharon's method - sew 2 bias strips together, and then cut squares from the strips.

With Sharon's method, you can cut enough squares for an entire quilt. It's the SAME method. It just depends on HOW MANY finished squares made from HSTs you need.

No paper foundations to tear off, no stretchy bias to get out of shape. Just oodles of finished squares made of HSTs. The main thing is, you have to be careful when you iron the strips together at the beginning! But you've starched the fabric heavily, so it's not going to stretch!!!

Best of all, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY A SPECIAL NEW RULER :D - and you probably already use the spray startch in your quilting cave. The wonder tape that Klue mentioned would work for marking lines for cutting if you're at all timid about using your rotary cutter after going to all the trouble of sewing all those bias strips together :!: